Musical brothers honored

Teens named finalists in annual competition in Indianapolis.

Teens named finalists in annual competition in Indianapolis.

January 04, 2008|KATHY BORLIK Tribune Columnist

Two brothers have been selected to be finalists in the annual Young Artists Competition for the New World Youth Orchestras in Indianapolis. Austin Huntington, 13, and brother Thomas, 14, are from South Bend. Austin plays the cello, and Thomas is a violinist. They are the sons of Cheri and Tom Huntington. Austin attends St. Joseph Grade School in South Bend, and Thomas is home-schooled with classes at Indiana University South Bend. They were selected from 41 entrants from the state. Only 11 were chosen for the competition, which is Saturday at the Indiana History Center in Indy. It starts at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Both started playing at the age of 4. Thomas has performed with the South Bend Symphony three times. Back in July, he performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Austin is the principal cellist with the South Bend Youth Symphony. The family is quite musical, according to Cheri. Both parents played instruments in high school bands. Siblings played instruments, and a grandfather was a professional clarinetist with several big bands. "We never had any string players" before the boys, she said. In addition to the opportunity to perform and a cash prize, winners also received an opportunity to rehearse with the New World Youth Orchestras. The junior division winner (through age 13) will perform in February. The senior division (ages 14-18) will perform in May. *** Here's to good training. On Nov. 29, Sean Meyer, who is an employee of Atlantic Aviation (formerly Corporate Wings), observed an unauthorized individual within a restricted area of the South Bend Regional Airport. Sean was refueling a plane near the Federal Express terminal. The individual climbed the fence and was not where anyone should be, and Sean knew that. Sean stopped what he was doing, called security and they took him away, because we all know the tarmac is not a stop on the guided tour. Bruce Maclachlan, manager of operations and maintenance at the airport, said Sean challenged the individual, and that's what airport employees are trained to do. "It is more than good training, it is conscientiousness. It could have been easier to go on with his work. But he interrupted his work to do what was right." Sean said the guy was walking across the property and he "stood out." He asked for identification and called the police. Sean, who lives in Niles, has worked at the airport seven years. If you have news about people, send it to the South Bend Tribune, Kathy Borlik, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46626; or e-mail: metrocommunity@sbtinfo.com; or phone (574) 235-6233.